Bill McLaren Foundation launches new bursary scheme for aspiring youngsters

But in order to add longevity to the legacy of the great Bill McLaren, the foundation set up in his name have today [Monday 19 May] announced a series of bursaries designed to give assistance to some of those within the Scottish rugby pathway system who most need it.

In conjunction with Scottish Rugby, The Bill McLaren Foundation Bursary scheme will identify up to four female and up to four male players, each of whom will be part of an existing pathway, to receive a share of £30,000 in the scheme’s inaugural year to help with some of the financial intricacies of being a young rugby player aspiring to be aligned into professional rugby.

Whether that’s the balance of work, life, study or a combination of all three, The Bill McLaren Foundation Bursary will allow young people to dedicate more time to their rugby and potentially realise ambitions that before looked harder to achieve.

Female players who are part of Vodafone Regional Training Centres (RTC) and male players who have been identified as part of the National Talent Pathway will be among those who will be eligible for the scheme.

Former Scotland captain Rory Lawson, Bill McLaren’s grandson and son of Alan Lawson who starred as a scrum-half for Scotland throughout the 1970s, said of the creation of the fund: “As both a grandson of Bill McLaren and someone fortunate enough to represent Scotland on the rugby field, this partnership between the SRU and The Bill McLaren Foundation is incredibly meaningful.

“Papa dedicated his life not just to rugby as a broadcaster, but to the people in it. He was a teacher at heart, and he believed greatly in nurturing talent with encouragement and purpose.

“For Scottish Rugby to embrace this vision and help create a pathway for the next generation of Scottish rugby players, especially those who may need a little extra support, makes our family immensely proud and we’re honoured that his name continues to inspire and open doors for others.”

Alan Lawson added: “Bill McLaren wasn’t just a legendary commentator, he was also a committed teacher and mentor. He always said the game was about more than just what happened on the pitch – it’s about character, respect and community. This bursary will encourage home grown talent to actualise their dreams and potential – exactly the kind of legacy he would be proud of.”

Bill McLaren’s daughter, Linda Lawson, said: “It’s very exciting to see a bursary established in Dad’s name, in partnership with Scottish Rugby. He believed passionately in encouraging young people and instilling the values of respect, discipline, and sportsmanship that define the game at its best. This bursary is a beautiful way to carry forward his legacy — not only his love for rugby, but his belief in its power to shape lives.”

Scottish Rugby’s Head of Women and Girls’ Strategy, Gemma Fay, said: “Bill was synonymous with rugby for so many of us growing up and it’s in the creation of this bursary, his name will continue to inspire the next generation of rugby players.”

Grant McKelvey, Head of Performance Programmes, added: “This is a really important piece of funding by The Bill McLaren Foundation, which will enable a number of young players to maximise their development. It’s important to stress that the recipients of the bursary will be applicants who we feel can utilise the funding to boost their opportunities and achieve their goals in the sport.”

The Bill McLaren Foundation bursary scheme will run in its first instance in time for the 2025/26 season. Players who are eligible will be encouraged by those within Scottish Rugby’s pathways structure to submit their application in July, with the first-year recipients selected in time for next season.

Pictured: Alan (left), Linda and Rory Lawson, in Bill’s recreated study at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, for the launch of the Bill McLaren Bursary scheme.